Expertise.com Homepage

2024

Last updated:

Best Mortgage Brokers in Richmond, CA

Our Recommended Top 13

We did the research for you!

  • Licensing
  • User Reviews
  • Mystery Shopping Calls

Our goal is to connect people with the best local professionals. We scored Richmond Mortgage Brokers on more than 25 variables across five categories, and analyzed the results to give you a hand-picked list of the best.

39Reviewed

28Curated

13Top Picks

Learn about our selection process.

Providers

featured provider = Featured Provider

1209 34th St, Oakland, CA 94608
WebsiteLicense: 1894493

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Facebook
5.0 (10)

Why choose this provider?

Made Mortgage, Inc., caters to individuals and families in Richmond and its surrounding areas. It assists clients in applying for new-purchase loans or refinancing their existing mortgages. Potential homeowners receive options depending on their unique needs and circumstances after submitting a simple mortgage pre-approval letter request. These include fixed-rate mortgages, adjustable-rate mortgages, and jumbo, FHA, VA, and USDA loans. The owner of the company, Scott Nguyen, has more than 10 years of experience in the industry.

  • Refinance

4304 Redwood Hwy #100, San Rafael, CA 94903
WebsiteLicense: 256787

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (28)

Why choose this provider?

Larry Martinez is a broker that helps clients in Richmond and nearby communities obtain mortgages, whether they are purchasing homes for the first time or looking to invest in a new one. He also handles refinancing and reverse mortgages and strives to simplify the loan process by offering resources on buying and selling properties for borrowers. Larry Martinez is an equal housing lender and is part of California Mortgage Advisors, Inc., which has been in business since 1993.

  • Refinance
  • New Construction

2950 Buskirk Avenue Suite 300, Walnut Creek, CA 94597
WebsiteLicense: 323279

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (32)

Why choose this provider?

C2 Financial Corporation is a mortgage brokerage serving homeowners and first-time home buyers in Richmond. It offers products and services to help clients purchase or refinance their homes, including VA and FHA loans. Its mortgage consultant, Chris Hudson, has more than 16 years of industry experience. He provides consultations to obtain a thorough understanding of clients' income, debts, and financial goals. Chris also works with processors and lenders to facilitate transactions that meet the conditions of obtaining home financing.

  • Refinance
  • New Construction

2938-B Hilltop Mall Road, Richmond, CA 94806
WebsiteLicense: 13589

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Zillow
5.0 (289)
Google
4.9 (185)
Facebook
4.8 (42)

Why choose this provider?

Platinum Home Mortgage offers a variety of loan options for clients in Richmond and nearby areas, including those who speak Spanish. Its team is led by Ricardo Ramos, who has over two decades of experience assisting individuals and families with refinancing and home buying. Ramos and his colleagues assess clients' long-term financial needs and goals, as well as their eligibility for specific loans, in direct consultations. They currently provide customized mortgage services in at least 50 states.

1680 Tiburon Blvd Unit 9, Tiburon, CA 94920
WebsiteLicense: 241012

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (22)
Facebook
5.0 (2)

Why choose this provider?

Golden Gate Lending Group handles the mortgage needs of clients throughout Richmond and the surrounding areas. The mortgage firm provides customized loan solutions to aid clients in their goal of homeownership, whether they are first-time homebuyers or experienced real estate investors. Loan options include private money investment and owner-occupied, cash flow, private second mortgage, group bridge, and private construction loans. Founder Sofia Nadjibi is a Certified Mortgage Planner with two decades of experience in the industry.

  • Refinance
  • New Construction

2157 Country Hills Drive, Suite 206, Antioch, CA 94509
WebsiteLicense: 1770437

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Facebook
5.0 (57)

Why choose this provider?

E3 Realty & Loans is an all-encompassing real estate and finance firm. It serves the Richmond community, helping individuals and families realize their dreams of homeownership through mortgage solutions. Its team of loan officers assists homebuyers in navigating the mortgage processes of loan options such as VA, FHA, USDA, Conventional, and 203(k). They also guide them in getting pre-qualified. Property owners can also rely on E3 Realty & Loans for their refinancing needs that meet their specific scenario.

  • Refinance

177 Military East, Benicia, CA 94510
WebsiteLicense: 290507

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Yelp
4.9 (40)
Google
5.0 (20)

Why choose this provider?

Darlene Espinoza is a mortgage broker serving Richmond. She caters to those looking to renovate their loan, purchase an investment property, or refinance their current mortgage. Espinoza works closely with clients to understand their priorities and goals and offers a home loan that fits their situation. These loan options include conventional, jumbo, FHA, and VA. She maintains open communication with her clients throughout the process to address their questions and work with them to reach their goal of obtaining financial stability and security.

  • Refinance

369 Suite B Third Street # 410, San Rafael, CA 94901
WebsiteLicense: 1511173

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Facebook
4.6 (23)
Google
5.0 (9)

Why choose this provider?

Fivepoint Realty + Mortgage is a local brokerage that offers financial services to Richmond residents. It has a variety of loan options for clients looking to purchase, refinance, and improve their homes and other properties. Available policies include fixed- and adjustable-rate mortgages, as well as jumbo, FHA, VA, and USDA loans. The brokerage is led by Shanaz and Shaman Ajmani, an experienced duo of Realtors and mortgage loan originators with more than a decade of combined industry experience.

  • Purchase and Refinance
  • New Construction

12553 San Pablo Avenue, Richmond, CA 94805
WebsiteLicense: 238397

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (25)
Yelp
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Griselda Ledesma & The Ledesma Team Mortgage & Real Estate is a Richmond-based firm that serves local individuals and families, including Spanish speakers. Ledesma and her staff handle applications involving refinancing programs for those who seek cash-out options, improved interest rates, and opportunities for debt consolidation. They use their firsthand knowledge of local interest rates and marketing trends and have over a century of combined experience. To date, they have financed more than 5,000 units in the local region.

  • New Construction

344 Division St #100, Pleasanton, CA 94566
WebsiteLicense: 1780589

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Yelp
5.0 (7)
Google
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Whether purchasing or refinancing their properties, Vintage Home Loans guides Richmond residents through the mortgage process. The firm focuses on conventional and government home loans, such as FHA, USDA, and VA. It assigns a mortgage loan originator to help people find products that meet their needs. One of the company’s specialists, Alex Gonzalez, has been working in the banking and finance industry since 1982. He utilizes his experience and relationships within the accounting, financial planning, lending, and real estate communities to assist his clients.

  • Refinance

1300 Fourth Street, San Rafael, CA 94901
WebsiteLicense: 906159

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Zillow
5.0 (71)
Google
4.6 (46)
Facebook
5.0 (14)

Why choose this provider?

SearchLight Lending is a full-service broker serving Richmond and its surrounding areas. Its team of loan processors and agents assists residential customers in refinancing an existing mortgage. Working with more than 100 direct banks and lenders, it provides reverse, conventional, FHA, jumbo, and Fannie or Freddie mortgage programs. Correspondence, wholesale, and private money loans are also available. SearchLight Lending, a California Association of Mortgage Professionals member, has funded $2 billion for more than 3,000 clients.

  • Reverse Mortgages

345 California Street, Suites 600 & 700 Office Sfocal028, San Francisco, CA 94104
WebsiteLicense: 110501

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (90)
Yelp
5.0 (2)

Why choose this provider?

Fif Ghobadian has been offering various mortgage and lending options in Richmond as a mortgage consultant for OriginPoint since 2004. She uses her background in the finance industry to provide applicants with comprehensive guidance in assessing their financial means and goals for the sale, purchase, and refinancing of properties. Through OriginPoint's partnership with Compass and Guaranteed Rate, she also connects clients to digital platforms that streamline loan application processes and offer access to statistics and data from markets across the country.

  • Refinance

2200 Powell St, Suite 340, Emeryville, CA 94608
WebsiteLicense: 1231327

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.6 (138)
Yelp
1.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Newfi caters to the financial planning needs of clients in the Richmond metro by utilizing a simple, tech-forward process. The firm’s team of professionals offers a wide variety of loan products, including adjustable-rate and second, as well as 40-, 30-, and 15-year mortgages. It also handles FHA, VA, jumbo, and DSCR cash flow loans. In addition, it has flexible mortgage options for self-employed borrowers. The company has provided more than $5 billion worth of funds.

Compare our Top Mortgage Brokers

NameExpertise RatingAddressPromotionsLearn more
Made Mortgage, Inc.
1209 34th St, Oakland, CA 94608
Larry Martinez
4304 Redwood Hwy #100, San Rafael, CA 94903
C2 Financial Corporation
2950 Buskirk Avenue Suite 300, Walnut Creek, CA 94597
Platinum Home Mortgage - Richmond
2938-B Hilltop Mall Road, Richmond, CA 94806
Golden Gate Lending Group
1680 Tiburon Blvd Unit 9, Tiburon, CA 94920
E3 Realty & Loans
2157 Country Hills Drive, Suite 206, Antioch, CA 94509
Darlene Espinoza
177 Military East, Benicia, CA 94510
Fivepoint Realty + Mortgage
369 Suite B Third Street # 410, San Rafael, CA 94901
Griselda Ledesma & The Ledesma Team Mortgage & Real Estate
12553 San Pablo Avenue, Richmond, CA 94805
Vintage Home Loans
344 Division St #100, Pleasanton, CA 94566
SearchLight Lending
1300 Fourth Street, San Rafael, CA 94901
Fif Ghobadian
345 California Street, Suites 600 & 700 Office Sfocal028, San Francisco, CA 94104
Newfi
2200 Powell St, Suite 340, Emeryville, CA 94608

FAQs

  • Introduction

    It’s the American dream to buy property, and almost everyone who purchases a home does so with the help of a mortgage broker. It can be intimidating when you don’t know where to begin, what information is necessary, and how to receive a loan. A mortgage broker acts as an intermediary between the applicant and the financial institution.


    The mortgage broker’s role includes comparing loan terms across lenders to find applicants the best options, collecting paperwork the financial institution needs to analyze the application, and guiding the buyer through the underwriting and closing processes. Mortgage brokers can significantly simplify the home buying process.

  • Can mortgage brokers work across state lines?

    Yes, mortgage brokers can work across state lines. However, each state has different licensing requirements for mortgage brokers. Customers should ensure their broker can legally work in another state before going across state lines. Lastly, don’t forget the mortgage process is often time-sensitive, so being in different time zones can be problematic.

  • How do mortgage brokers find lenders?

    Mortgage brokers work independently and act as a bridge between the client and the lender. They reach out to several lenders to form a network and build professional relationships with those they work with often. They use lenders who best meet a client's rates and terms, and some lenders only do business through mortgage brokers.  

  • What credit score do mortgage brokers use?

    There are two credit scoring models in the United States: FICO and VantageScore. Mortgage lenders typically prefer to use FICO. However, each credit bureau uses a different version of the FICO score:

    • Experian uses FICO Score 2
    • Equifax uses FICO Score 5
    • TransUnion uses FICO Score 4

  • Do mortgage brokers help with refinancing?

    Yes, mortgage brokers can help with refinancing. Individuals who have a solid credit score will typically go to their bank to refinance their mortgage. However, if you don't have excellent credit, a mortgage broker may be able to secure you a better interest rate than you could get on your own.

    You pay a fee to the mortgage broker, so you'll want to consider this fee versus your savings in your cost-benefit analysis.
  • Can you work with two mortgage brokers?

    You can definitely work with two mortgage brokers. The advantage of using multiple brokers is that you'll have two people reaching out to several lenders to secure the best rate possible. However, you must ensure you provide matching information to all your brokers. If two brokers provide mismatched information about your application to the same lender, it can send off red flags and delay your approval process.

  • Do mortgage brokers get better deals?

    Yes, a mortgage broker should be able to get you a better deal. Mortgage brokers go to several lenders on your behalf and find the one with the best terms and interest rates. However, note that some mortgage brokers have preferred lenders. A broker may bring you their preferred lender's offer, even if it's not the best one; however, this isn't a regular practice.